Yeh! We are on the Road Again!!

On the road again Just can't wait to get on the road again’ Leaving poor Nigel behind and Bingley by my side ‘And I can't wait to get on the road again

On the road again Goin' places that I've never been Seein' things that I may never see again And I can't wait to get on the road again’ (Willie Nielson & my tiny addon)

This is it. The car at long last is repaired, the 1000ks have been done and it is in the garage today for its service and on Saturday we move out!

What a journey it has been, and for one not necessarily renown for patience I believe I have shown a forbearance I had not thought I had. I have learned so much – the value of living a day at a time, the value of loving to walk, the value of having hobbies, the value of reading and most importantly the value of a sense of humour – because as Monty Python succinctly said, ‘Life’s a piece of shit when you think of it!’ and you just have to play the percentages and make the best of things. I am grateful for the time that I have had ‘stuck here’ in Port Augusta.

Having to do my 1000ks has taken me to lovely destinations one being Port Germaine. I love it when you get out of the car, and you can smell the sea. There is something visceral about it! We walked the longest pier in the Southern Hemisphere and had an ice cream, it is a tiny little place! We drove to Iron Knob – a mining village where the dust of the outback and the slag heaps has permeated the paint on the run-down little houses, you get the feeling if it rained the whole place would turn to mud. It is a grey, run-down little place. All my journeys have been exhausting though as I have to conquer my own fears and I find myself relentlessly scanning the countryside for suicidal wildlife! I will have to manage this fear, or I will miss the glories of the landscape which have benefited so much from the rain.

I will miss the dog walking group. Bingley has blossomed into a fun loving affectionate little boy. Gone is the timid bag of nerves, the fear of other dogs and he is even starting to warm to men. I still see him cower occasionally and it breaks my heart that one so little has had to manage fear, but those instances are few and far between and it is in no small part due to the gorgeous group of dogs and their equally gorgeous human companions that this has happened.

I have discovered that Bingley and I must stick out like a sore thumb, for the number of people who say to me – I saw you walking across the bridge carrying him (because the big trucks frighten him), or I heard him crying outside the shop and I knew he wanted to go in – he is so little to make such a lot of noise has been amazing. Even when I dropped off the car this morning the lady there said – I saw you 2 walking yesterday evening. I love small towns!

Fortunately, we will be travelling primarily along coastal parts for the short term as Bingley has become a little water baby and will be enthusiastic to continue the occupation. For me sweeping sand out of the caravan has become something of a preoccupation for me!

I now must get organised for my packing standards have slipped somewhat in my forced hiatus so the days to Saturday will be busy with a large dose of excitement!